Jon Jones Mentors Gable Steveson as He Preps for UFC 329 Debut

Jon Jones has pledged to mentor Olympic gold-medalist Gable Steveson as the wrestler prepares for his UFC 329 debut, a move that keeps the former champion at the center of the conversation about the sport’s next star.

How did Jon Jones become Steveson's mentor?

Steveson announced his transition from freestyle wrestling to mixed-martial-arts on a recent MMA Junkie Radio interview. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, immediately offered guidance. The former champion’s support gave the 23-year-old Olympian confidence, and he has already compiled a 3-0 record in professional bouts, including a 15-second knockout of Billy Swanson at the Dirty Boxing Championship.

Why is Steveson interested in training with Daniel Cormier?

Despite calling himself a “Jones lifer,” Steveson expressed a desire to work one-on-one with Daniel Cormier. He told the host, “I’ve always told Jon that DC is a fantastic fighter, one of my top two fighters of all time. I would love a few classes with DC to learn how he processed fighting, how he managed the shift from wrestling to striking.”

The comment highlights Steveson’s respect for Cormier’s wrestling pedigree and his curiosity about blending that with Jones’s striking evolution. Both former champions have a storied rivalry, from a brawl at UFC 178 press events to Jones’s unanimous-decision win at UFC 182 and the overturned knockout at UFC 214.

What does this mean for Jon Jones’s legacy?

Jones’s involvement with Steveson adds another layer to his post-competition influence. By guiding a high-profile Olympic athlete, he reinforces his reputation as a mentor capable of shaping future champions. The partnership also keeps Jones in the spotlight, even as he remains retired from active competition.

What’s next for Steveson and the Jones-Cormier dynamic?

Steveson is slated to fight Elisha Ellison at UFC 329, scheduled for this Saturday. He enters as a massive betting favorite after a swift knockout loss by Ellison to Brando Pericic. While Jones will likely be in his corner, the prospect of a Cormier training session looms, potentially adding a new dimension to Steveson’s skill set.

Fans are already debating whether branching out beyond Jones’s tutelage could accelerate Steveson’s development. The conversation underscores how former champions like Jones and Cormier continue to shape the UFC landscape from the sidelines.